Characterisation of dissolved hydrogen diffusion and bubble nucleation in waste suspensions

This is a 4-year PhD studentship within the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Skills And Training Underpinning a Renaissance in Nuclear (SATURN). The research will address critical challenges in nuclear decommissioning by studying hydrogen behavior in nuclear waste. The project focuses on understanding the dynamic balance between dissolved hydrogen in liquid phases and gaseous hydrogen, which is critical to predicting hydrogen transport and release for safe management. The successful candidate will work alongside leading nuclear researchers at the University of Leeds Nuclear Engineering Group and industry experts at Sellafield Ltd. The research will develop a comprehensive understanding of how various environmental factors influence the solubility of dissolved hydrogen in waste sludges and study the dynamics of bubble nucleation under partial vacuum as a method of controlling hydrogen release. Both experimental and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations will be used to study hydrogen diffusion within nuclear wastes. The CDT SATURN is led from the University of Manchester and includes leading nuclear research universities in the North of England and Scotland. The program aims to deliver the next generation of nuclear researchers to help the UK achieve its Net Zero targets, providing technical training in the nuclear fuel cycle and specialist research skills training in a collegial cohort environment.